Park Boulevard and Keys View Road Are Open

All paved roads closed by Wednesday's snowstorm have reopened for traffic Joshua Tree National Park officials announced today. Park Boulevard between the West Entrance and Jumbo Rocks Campground was opened this morning, and Keys View Road will be opened at 3:30 pm today. A number of unpaved roads in the park will remain closed until they fully dry.

Wednesday's snowstorm dropped up to 12 inches of snow across much of the west central region of the park prompting temporary road closures until crews could complete plowing of primary roads and secondary roads to campgrounds and picnic areas. The Keys Ranch historic site will be open for public tours starting Saturday, February 18.

Roads that will remain closed include:

• Bighorn Pass Road between Barker Dam and Queen Valley
• Odelle Road from Park Boulevard to the Pine City trailhead
• La Contenta Road from the park boundary to Eureka Peak

More than one inch of precipitation fell during Wednesday's storm providing much needed moisture to the western area of the park. During President's Day Weekend, visitors should be prepared for wet conditions as many areas above 4,000 feet in elevation remain covered with melting snow.

Visitors can obtain other park information by calling 760-367-5500, or by visiting the park's website: https://www.nps.gov/jotr.